Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1887-12-07

SbouId he carefully scrutinized in and to
reduce taxation. The necessity OF combl-
nation to maintain the price of any com.
modify to the tariff point, furnishes PROOF
that some one is willing TO accept lower
prices for such commodity and that such
prices are renumerative, and lower prices
produced by competition prove the same
Thing. Thus where either of these exist,
a case would seem to be presented Tor an
easy reduction of taxation.
The considerations which have been
presented touching our tariff laws, are IN
tended only to enforce an earnest recon.
mendation that the surplus revenues OF
the government be prevented by the re-
duction of our customs duties, and, at the
same time to emphasize a suggestion thdt
in accomplishing this purpose, we may
discharge double duty TO our people Dy
granting to them a measure OF relief from
tariff taxation in quarters where IL IS
most needed and from sources Whlcn IL
can be most fairly and justly accorded
Nor can the presentation made OF such
consideration be- with any degree OF
fairness, regarded as evidences OF I'M
friendliness toward any of our manufac-
turing interests or any lack OF apprecia-
ton of their value and Importance
These interests constitute a leading ana
most substantial element Of our national
greatness and furnish the proud proof OF
our country's progress, but IL IN the emer-
gency that presses US on our manutact-
urerS are asked to surrender something
for the public good and 10 avert dis
a>ter, their patriotism, as well as
a grateful recognition of the ad-
vantages already afforded, should lead
them to willingly cooperate No demand
is made that they shall fOrego all the ben
eft of governmental regard, but they
cannot fail to be admonished of their duty,
as well as their enlightened selt-lntercst
and safety, when they are reminded OF the
fact that financial panic and collapse,
10 which the present condition tends,
affords no greater shelter or protection
to cur manufacturers than to our other
important enterprises Opportunity
for safe, careful and deliberate reform Is
now offered, and none of us should be I'M
mindful of the time when an abused and
irrelated people, needless of those who
have resisted timely and reasonable
changes, demanded a radical and sweeping
rectification Of their wrongs The diff.
Guilty attending wise and fair revision OF
our tariff laws is not underestimated. 1t
viii require on the part OF the congress
great labor and care, and especially a
broad and national contemplation OF the
subject and a patriotic disregard of such
local and selfish claims as are unreasona-
bic and reckless of the welfare Of the en-
tire country.
Under our present laws more than four
thousand articles are subject to duty.
Many of these do not in any way compete
with our manufacturers and many are
hardly worth attention as subjects OF reVe-
nue.. A considerable reduction can be
made in the aggregate by adding them to
the free list
The taxation of luXurieS presents no
features of hardship, but the necessaries
of life used and consumed by all the PEG
pie, the duty upon which adds to the cost
of living in every home, should be greatly
Cheapened. The radical reduction of the
duties imposed upon raw material used in
manufactures or as free importation Is, OF
course, an important factor in any effort
to reduce the price of these necessities 1t
would not only relieve them from the IN
creased cost caused by the tariff on
such material, but the manufactured
product being thus cheapened,
that part of the tariff now Land upon
such product as a compensation to our
manufacturers for the present price of raw
material could be accordingly modified.
Such reduction. or free importation, would
serve beside to reduce the revenue Il is
not apparent how such Il change can have
an in furious effect upon our manufacturers.
On the contrary, it would appear to give
them better chance in foreign markets
with the many of other countries who
cheaper their wares by free material. Thus
our people might have the opportunity of
extending their sales beyond the limits of
hCme consumption, saving them from the
depression, interruption i'll business and
Joss caused by "A glutted domestic market
and aifording employees more certain and
steady labor, with its resulting prosperity
and contentment
The question thus presented for solution
should he approached in a spirit higher
than partisanship and considered in the
light of that regard for patriotic duty
which should characterize the action
of those intruSted with the veal of
a confiding people The obligation to de
clared party policy and principle is not
wanting to urge prompt and effective
action. Both of the great political parties
now represented in the government, have
by repeated and authortativa declarations,
condemned the condition of our laws which
permits the collection from the people of
unnecessary revenue. and have, i'll the
most solemn manner, promised its cOrrec-
ton, and neither as partiSans nor as coun-
trymen are in a mood to cOndone the DELHI
crate violation of these pledges. Our pro-
gTesS toward wise conclusion Will not be
improved by dwelling upon the theories of
protection and free trade. This
savors too much Of bandying
epithetS. 1t is a condition which confronts
Us, not a theory. The relief from this con
dition may involve a slight reduction OF
the advantages which we award our home
productions, but the entire withdrawal OF
such advantages should not be contem-
plated. The question of free trade is abso-
lutely irrelevant, and the persistent claim
made in certain quarters that all efforts tC
relieve the people from unjust and unnec-
essary taxation are schemes of so-called
free traders is miscellaneous and far re
moved from any consideration of the pub
lie good.
The simple. plain duty we owe the peo-
pie Is to reduce taxation to the necessary
expenses of an economical operation OF
the government, and to restore to
the business of the country the
money which we hold in the
treasury through the perversion
of government powers. These things can
and should be done with safety to all ouI
industries. without danger TO the oppor
tunity for remunerative labor which our
workingmen need and with benefit &c
them and ali our people by cheapenine
their means of subsistence and increasing
the measure of their comforts.
The constitution provides that the preSi
dent shall from time to time give to con
gresS information of the state of the Union
1t has been the custom OF the executive, il
compliance with this provision. TO annually
exhibit to the congress 1T the opening %!
its session the general condition OF the
country and to detail with some particle
larity the operations of the different exc
cutiye departments. Ii would be eSpec
tally agreeable 10 follow. this course al
the present time. and to call attention
to the valuable accomplishments
OF these departments. during the last fiscal
year. But l ana so much Impressed with
the paramount importance of the subject
To which this communication has thus fan
been devoted. that / shall fCrego the add
ton of any other topic, ana only urge up
On yoCr immediate consideration the state
OF the Union as shown in the present con
GitinO- ut our treasury and oIIr ,yanaral r.